Mar 012024
 
Ohio State Flag

Ohio State Flag

Ohio became the seventeenth state of the United States in 1803. The state’s nickname is the Buckeye State and the state tree is the buckeye. Columbus is the capital. The state ranks 34th in area, but it is the seventh most populous. Eight presidents were either born there or lived there. The official state beverage is tomato juice. Children could visit an Internet site at: Ohio.  Children could also make and drink some tomato juice and figure out which presidents were born in or lived in Ohio.

Mar 012024
 
Nebraska State Flag

Nebraska State Flag

Nebraska became the thirty-seventh state of the United States in 1867. The word Nebraska means flat water. Its nickname is the Cornhusker State, and it is a leading producer of corn and cattle. Lincoln is the state capital. Nebraska ranks fifteenth in area and 37th in population. Children could visit an Internet site at: Nebraska. Idea: Children could brainstorm a list of what to do with all those cornhusks.

Mar 012024
 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872. It was the country’s first national park and perhaps the world’s first national park. Comprising over 2,200,000 acres, it is mostly in Wyoming, but portions of the park extend into Idaho and Montana. It is known for beautiful vistas, plentiful wildlife, and interesting geothermal features. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Children could visit an Internet site, especially the portions for children and teachers, at: http://www.nps.gov/yell.

Mar 012024
 
Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River
Credit: National Park Service

Buffalo National River was established in 1972. Located in northern Arkansas, a lower stretch of 135 miles of the Buffalo River is a national river. An upper stretch of eighteen miles is part of the Ozark National Forest. Children could learn more at: Buffalo National River.

Mar 012024
 

Glenn Miller (born Clarinda, Iowa, 1904; disappeared over the English Channel, December 15, 1944) was a bandleader and a composer. His big band sound was especially popular before and during World War II. He was on a flight to Paris to perform for troops when his plane vanished.

Slayton is in the first row, second from left

Slayton is in the first row, second from left

Donald “Deke” Slayton (born Sparta, Wisconsin, 1924; died League City, Texas, June 13, 1993) was one of the original seven astronauts. A heart condition kept him from traveling in space for some time, and he became chief of flight operations. In 1971 the heart condition disappeared, and he flew on the last Apollo mission. His crew docked for the first time with a Soviet Soyuz vessel. Children can learn more at: Deke Slayton.